ABSTRACT
Monensin, Na+ ionophore, blocks glycoprotein secretion. In vitro, monensin blocks cytokine secretion of human monocytes. This chapter examines the effect of monensin on experimental murine AA amyloidosis. For histological examination, resected spleens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Paraffin sections were stained with Congo red. Amyloid deposits in sections from two or three slices of the spleen for each mouse were examined with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Areas of amyloid deposits in each confocal images were determined with image analyzing soft Image-Pro. The present data showed that monensin decreased amyloid deposits in murine AA amyloidosis. In preliminary experiment, monensin inhibited SAA secretion of murine hepatocyte in vivo as same as colchicine. It is assumed that monensin decreased murine amyloidosis by means of inhibiting SAA secretion of hepatocytes. The exact mechanism for inhibitory effect of monensin should be investigated.
